To the editor:

The budgetary issues faced by our town are daunting, but I am very disappointed to hear that we are faced with eliminating over 40 teachers and possibly closing an elementary school. As the discussions continue on this issue it is imperative that we consider the following implications that these drastic cuts entail:

¿ Closing a school and/or cutting teaching positions could have a serious impact on the number of school choice students entering our district. These students account for over $1,000,000 in funding which could be in jeopardy ¿ potentially widening our budget gap. In addition, it remains unclear if any net savings will be realized in the upcoming year by closing a school (unemployment costs, moving costs, increased transport costs, loss of students due to school choice, etc.)

¿ The downturn in the economy may force many parents of private school children to enroll in the public school system. This could worsen the already dismal class size projections.

¿ Studies have shown that larger class sizes have a more deleterious impact on younger ages and that the effect lessens in higher grade levels. That being said, it is troublesome that the majority of the staff cuts are focused on the elementary level. I understand the logic of cutting staff based upon a straight percentage basis, but with the drastic reductions we are considering, I think it is prudent to focus the cuts where they will do the least harm.

The challenges facing our schools and town budgets are not isolated. Many other towns throughout the state and country face similar issues and are finding ways to minimize the impact on their school systems. Now is the time for the school board to focus on the long-term effects their decisions will have on the children of our community.

Rob Schroeder

Florence